Archive for the 'Jackie Robinson Stadium' Tag Under 'UCLA' Category

UCLA's defending national champion baseball team will have a home for at least next season, according to a release from athletic director Dan Guerrero.

The Bruins baseball home was put into question by a recent federal court decision that ruled in favor of a group of individual veterans, which claimed the land in which Jackie Robinson Stadium stands on was wrongfully leased to UCLA and others by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

A federal judge ruled in favor of the class-action lawsuit in August, leaving UCLA's future at the facility uncertain. But thanks to "an encouraging development" in the past week, UCLA will be allowed to appeal that original ruling, giving the Bruins at least one more full season to play at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Beyond the upcoming season, UCLA's future at the stadium remains uncertain. But UCLA's athletic department remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached.

"An appeal gives UCLA a seat at the table to work towards crafting a resolution that helps veterans by building upon our longstanding relationship with the VA and our strong commitment to veterans - a commitment that includes a wide variety of programs dedicated to serving those who serve," Guerrero said in the release.

UCLA's national title-winning baseball team may have to prepare for a future that doesn't include Jackie Robinson Stadium.

After a federal court judge ruled yesterday that the Department of Veterans Affairs had "invalidly leased property to certain third parties" -- property on which Jackie Robinson Stadium is built -- UCLA could be forced to vacate the 32-year-old stadium if the ruling stands and a settlement isn't reached.

In a letter to fans, athletic director Dan Guerrero expressed his optimism that things will continue as planned in the same venue when UCLA baseball returns next season. Still, Guerrero explained that the university is "doing our due diligence to identify other viable locations" in case UCLA is forced to leave in 2014.

"It is my expectation that we will, indeed, continue to play Bruin baseball at the current home of the NCAA Champions," Guerrero wrote. "I have been in regular communication with Coach John Savage, and he, along with our fans, has my commitment that UCLA will continue to do everything possible to work toward making this a reality."